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New law requires full chile disclosure in New Mexico

The word 'chile' in New Mexico make people take pride in knowing that the pepper is authentically New Mexican.

"To find out it was from California or some place like that, yeah, I wouldn't like that," said Tony Vaughn, a resident of Albuquerque and self-proclaimed fan of the red chile.

Now, Vaughn's chile confusion will be clarified.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez signed the expanded New Mexico Chile Advertising Act into law, ensuring companies that brand their chiles as "New Mexican" are truly using peppers from the state.

If not, they would have to identify on the label in bold typeface, "Not grown in New Mexico," said Charlie Marquez, a lobbyist for the New Mexico Chile Association.

Locals can expect full chile disclosure if they are dining out. Starting July 1, if a customer walks into a restaurant and order the New Mexico Green Chile burrito on the menu, chile was grown in New Mexico.

Otherwise that restaurant is in violation of the new rule.

Companies that break the new law will face a penalty, but lawmakers have yet to decide what it will be.

Sadie's in Northwest Albuquerque advertises its authentic New Mexican Cuisine. Jim Garcia, the restaurant's vice president of operations, said they're following the new law.

"Last year we produced 50 tons of chile, fine hatch chile from southern New Mexico, and we're real proud of that," Garcia said.

The label on Sadie's batch of green chile salsa doesn't lie.

Locals say they like the transparency.

"If somebody asked me do I want hatch chile or some other chile I would definitely say hatch," said Nicole O'Keefe, "And now I'll know for sure. That's great."

Supporters said they hope the new law will increase chile production in New Mexico, which has fallen in recent years to farms in California and Mexico.

They said now people will know whether or not they're supporting their own state.

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